Tufting-machine.



PATENTED JAN. 9, 1906.

W. E. LATIMBR.

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mi maw fw www d PATENTED JAN. 9, 1906.

W. E. LATIMER. TUFTING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED Mmm, 190s.

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2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WTNEJJEJ IINITED sTATEs PATENT oEEIcE.

WIIILIAM E. LATIMER. OF UTICA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO E. R. LATIMER, OFUTIOA, NEW YORK.

Specicaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 9, 1906.

Application filed MaiI'Gll 5, 1903. Sellitl N0- 146,260.

T0 a/ZZ whom t 'lmtjl/ con/cern: y

Beit known that I, WILLIAM E. LATIMER, of Utica, in the county of Oneidaand State of New York, have inventedcertain new and useful Improvementsin Tufting-Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to thecharacters of reference marked thereon, which form part of thisspecification.

The object of my invention is to provide in tufting-machines mechanismby means of which the tufting-buttons may be easily, conveniently, andexpeditiously applied and secured in the manufacture of cushions andsimilar covers.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a machine embodyingmy improvements, a portion, however, being broken out and shown insection to better illustrate the construction. Fig. 2 shows a plan viewof the machine with the sliding or removable table arrangedsubstantially in its central position. Fig. 3 shows, on an enlargedscale, details, partially in section, of certain features of theinvention. Figs. 4 and 5 show in edge view and plan, respectively, aplate or device for holding the Washers employed in securing the partsof the covering or cushion. Fig. 6 shows, on an enlarged scale, across-section of the machine. Figf7 shows, on an' enlarged scale,details of the staple bending or clenching mechanism. Fig. 8 shows thesame in position at right angles to that shown in Fig. 7 in the normalposition. Fig. 9 shows the same parts shown in Fig. 7 in the open orexpanding position.

Referring to the reference letters and iigures in a more particulardescription, 1 and 2 indicate end frames of similar construction, whichare connected by longitudinal framebars 3 at the top and 4 and 5 at thebottom. The end frames 1 and 2 include particularlyextended portionswhich form tracks or ways 1a' and 2a, in which the tufting-table 6 ismounted and adapted to slide or move transversely of the machine. In theconstruction as shown no mechanism is provided for moving the tabletransversely of the machine in the said ways 1El 2a, it being moved bythe hand of the operator. It is obvious, however, that numerousconstructions of mechanism may be provided for moving the table. Thetable consists, mainly, of a number of transverse slats a a, separatedby suitable intervals of space. Spanning these spaces and arranged insuitable positions are the tuftingbutton-holding plates or devices 7.These tufting-button-holding plates or devices consist, preferably, oftwo circular parts 7 a 7a, connected by a comparatively small neck, onwhich is mounted and which constitutes in part the projection 7b, havingchannels or grooves extending along its opposite sides and adapted to bereceived inthe opening of the washer, which constitutes a portion of thesecuring device.

Arranged longitudinally of the central portion of the machine is aseries of staple clenching or spreading devices. These devices aresupported on the frame-bar 3 and are arranged so that their operativeends are received in the spaces or slots between the bars a a of thetu'fting-table. The staple clenching or spreading device consists,mainly, of a lazy-tongs construction, having the jaws or operative parts8 8 and the connecting or spreading arms 9 9, pivoted together at 10,11, 11, and 12, the latter pivot being mounted upon the vertical movablebar or rod 13 and the former pivot 10 having its outer ends secured ormounted in the supporting-arms 14 from the frame-bar 3. The location ofthe pivot 1() is such as to take a position immediately below theprojection 7 b on the several button-holding devices when the table isshifted transversely ol` the machine in proper position to make theseparts register. The bar 13 is mounted to slide vertically in a bearing25, supported from the bar 3.

For operating the clenching or spreading device there is provided aseries of treadles 15, projecting to opposite sides of the machine insuitable positions for convenient operation.-

These treadles are pivoted on the bars 4 and 5, respectively, andoperate on vertical moving frames 16. These frames 16 as the device isshown each have three of the upwardly-extending connecting-bars 13attached thereto, so that when the treadles are operated to move theframe 16 upwardly three sets of the button clenching or expandingdevices will be IOO simultaneously operated. This arrangement is notvital, but a matter of convenience. It dispenses with a great number oflevers, as 15, although a separate lever and treadle might be employedin connection with each clenching device, or all the clenching devicesmight be arranged to be operated simultaneously by one treadle or othermechanism. For a hand-operated machine l nd the arrangement shown inthis respect very convenient and satisfactory.

For drawing down the frame 16 and elevating the treadle end of thelevers 15 there are provided springs 17, attached at their upper ends tothe frame 16 and at their lower ends to one of the lower frame-bars.These springs of course operate to withdraw and close the stapleclenching or expanding device.

The process of making a tufted cushion on this machine may be brieflydescribed as follows: The tufting-washers, as A, are first placed inposition on the tufting-table on the projections 7 b, which are passedthrough the hole in the washer. Over the tufting-table is then stretchedthe foundation or base of the proposed cushion, as usually a piece ofheavy canvas. This canvas will be stretched usually by means of pegs ortacks, securing its ends to the table. The covering material of leather,good quality of cloth, or other material, as y, is then placed over thebase or foundation before mentioned and secured at intervalslongitudinally of the table by means of the tufting-buttons, as B. Thesetufting-buttons are the well-known tuftingbutton having two prongs,which ordinarily stand a slight distance apart. In applying the firsttufting-buttons the operator locates the position by feeling for theprojections 7b and when located forces the button through the materialand astride of the projection 7 b. Previous to this time he will haveadjusted the table so as to bring the button plates or holders which heis aboutA to employ directly over the clenching or spreading devices.When the button is forced through the fabric, as before stated, itpasses astride of the projection 7b on the holding device and to eachside of the jaws 8 S of the expanding device. When a button has beenforced into position, the operator holds it down and then operates theproper treadle 15 to operate the expanding devices. The expandingconsists in spreading the prongs of the button, so that they take theposition shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings, with a comparatively sharpbend outwardly where they pass through the opening in the washer. Afterthe button is spread or clenched the treadle is at once relieved and theclenching devices are closed into their normal position. It is evidentthat the operator could clench two or even three buttons, as the deviceis shown, simultaneously; but ordinarily he will only clench one buttonat a time,

the other two expanding devices, which operate at the same time, servingno purpose at that operation. When the middle row of buttons has beenplaced, the operator or operators, as there may be more than one at thesame table, will take the cushion-covering and introduce a quantity ofstuffing material, which being worked into suitable shapes and positionsthe cover is then drawn over it and the table shifted to bring intoposition other button-holding plates. The tufting-buttons are theninserted in their proper places and clenched, as before described.

For securing the tufting-table in its transverse movements in properpositions, so that the plates 7, with their projections 7 b, willregister with the clenching mechanism, there are provided on the ends ofthe table bars 18, having notches adapted to be engaged by thecatch-levers 19 and 20, respectively. rl`he lever 19 is relatively along lever pivoted at 21, while the lever 2() is a short lever pivotedat 22, and at their meeting ends are attached to a verticalconnecting-bar 23, which is operated by means of treadles 24, extendingto opposite sides of the machine, respectively. A spring (shown indotted lines in Fig. 6) is provided for drawing down the connectingbar23 and causing the extreme ends of the levers 19 and 20 to engage in thenotches of the bar 18, and thus lock the tufting-table. The outer row oftufting-button plates or projections are preferably made adjustabletoward and from the center of the table, and accordingly to accommodatethis adjustment there is provided in the ends of the bars 18 a number ofnotches, as 18a, the suitable one being employed to correspond with theposition of the adjustment of the outer row, as before stated.

lt is evident that numerous modifications and changes in and from theconstruction described may be made without departing from the spirit ofmy invention.

What l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. ln a tufting-machine, the combination of a tufting-table havingholders for securing the washers in definite locations thereon, of amechanism arranged under the table for spreading the prongs of thestaple, after being passed through the washer, the table andstaple-spreading mechanism being relatively movable to provide forhaving the staples and spreading mechanism register with more than onewasher-holder, substantially as set forth.

2. In a tufting-machine, the combination of a series of staple-expanderssupported and arranged in the machine, of a movable table havingwasher-holders adapted to be shifted with reference to the expandingdevices to cause the washer positions to register with the expanders,substantially as set forth.

3. A washer-holder for tufting-machines,

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having a base part and a projection adapted to be received` in theopening of the washer and substantially fill the same diametrically,said projection being grooved or cut away on its sides to providepassages for the tuftingbutton prongs, and the base part cut away toafford clearance-spaces, for the expanded tufting-button prongs whenbeing removed, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination in a tufting-machine of a table,'having awasher-receiving projection adapted to be received in the opening of thetufting-button washer, said projection being elongated in one directionto substantially fill the opening in the washer diametrically, and beingcomparatively narrow in the other direction, whereby openings areprovided for the prongs of the tufting-button, and a clenching devicearranged below said projection, consisting of a pair ofsimultaneously-opening jaws ada ted to engage and spread the prongs of te button, substantially as set forth.

5. In a tufting-machine, 'the combination of a tufting-table, havingmeans for securing the tufting-button washer in position thereon7 anopening through the table at the washer position and a spreader fortheprongs of the tufting-button, consisting of a pair ofsimultaneously-opening jaws, and mechanism for operating same,substantially as set forth.

6. The combination in a tufting-machine of a table, having an opening, apoint or proection supported in said opening adapted to be received inthe opening of the tufting-button washer and fill the washer-openingdiametrically in one direction, while affording openings for the prongsof the tufting-button at the sides of the diametrical line, a pair ofsimultaneously-opening spreading jaws 1ocated beneath the saidprojection and having their hinging-joint substantially parallel withthe plane of the said projection, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination in a tufting-machine of a table movably supported,having means for securing tufting-button Vwashers in position thereon,with an opening beneath said washer when in position, spreadingmechanism for the prongs of the tufting-button supported on the frame inposition to operate on the prongs of the tufting-button, the saidtufting-table being movable to bring one or more of the washer positionsto register with the spreading mechanism, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination in a tufting-machine of a movable table, having meansfor securing the washers of tuftingbuttons in position therein, with anopening beneath the washer positions, a spreading vmechanism for theprongs of the tu'ftingbuttons, consisting of a pair ofsimultaneously-opening jaws hinged together, and said hinging-pointbeing supported close to the under side of the table by an arm from themain frame, substantially as set forth.

9. The combination of a tufting-table having projections adapted to passinto or through the openings in the tufting-washers, and locate and holdthem, of an expanding mechanism arranged below the table and adapted tooperate after the button is placed in its iinal position simultaneouslyon both prongs of the tuftingbutton to bend the prongs to secure thewasher, substantially as set forth.

10. The combination in a tufting-machine of a table, washer-holdershaving a iixed projection adapted to be received in the washeropeningand of a form to substantially fill the washer-opening diametrically andafford passages at each side for the prongs of the button through thewasher-opening, and a movable button-prong bender arranged immediatelybeneath the washer-holder, substantially as set forth.

Il. A holder for a tufting-button washer for tufting-machines,consisting of a base, having a projection adapted to pass into orthrough the opening in the washer, elongated in one direction tosubstantially fill the opening in the washer diametrically, whileaffording clearances for the prongs ofthe tuftingbutton at either side,said base being cut away to make provision for placing the buttonwithout spreading the prongs materially, and to permit the removal ofthe button and washer after the prongs have been spread, substantiallyas set forth.

In witness wherof I have aiiiXed my signature, in presence of twowitnesses, this 28th day of February, 1903.

WILLIAM E. LATIMER.

Witnesses:`

E. WILLARD JONES, S. A. BROWN.

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